The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-31
\ GAMBLERS REMIN1sCENCEs.
d. Devol Tolls How he Roped in a Par
son on a Mississippi River Steam

son on a Mississippi River Steam
boat.
From the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
There used TO be no better known person
llong the river than Col. George Devol of
Cincinnati, who is at present writing an
recount OF his forty years experience along
40 Mississippi river. Surrounded by
Iarty of friends few days ago, Col. Devol
elated some incidents of his experience.
Among other things he told of some of his
tricks on passengers with cards in game
known as monte. The Colonel, throwing
his portly form back in a large easy chair
and placing his thumbs under his suspenders
at the shoulders, said:
1.-THE good old days for sporting men on
the river are past and gone Forty years |
led a gamblers life, making money fast and
spending it freely. But the last five years
of my life have been tough, tell you. I've
quit cards, and propose now, in my old age,
to try and live moral life. But you want
TO hear about my book! Well, I'll relate
5ome of my personal experiences. was
coming up the river from New Orleans on
the steamer L. H. Fairchilds. We left there
about 6 O'Clock on Saturday night. The
Fairchilds was bound for Louisville.
1.-The cabins and deck were literally
packed with people. After supper l went
over in the barber shop and, spreading out
my cards, began interesting few of the
passengers with some of my tricks. Pretty
soon we had started a game and it was kept
up all night, some eight of the passengers
entering into it. When we quit playing in
the early hours of Sunday over IS, 600 had
changed hands and I was a big winner. l
went to my stateroom, took bath, and had
breakfast and afterward went out on the
guards to smoke. A fine-looklng old gentle
men, about 60 years of age, whom | mis-
ook for a planter. came over and entered
nto conversation with me. Presently the
lptain OF the boat joined US, and the old
entleman stated that he was Presbyterian
mister of Louisville and would like to be
rmitted to preach in the cabin. The cap
II, of course, gave his consent, and the
4 mister, placing his arm III mine, almost
bRore l was aware what he was about to
doNhad me half way down the cabin. 1t
was Zoo late for me to get out of the predi
camefqt, so | sat as an honored guest next
to the reverend gentleman all through the
service.
ITO tell the truth the man really impressed
me with bis discourse, and made me feel
real mean 1t was the finest sermon | ever
heard, full of practical sayings, without any
howery nonsense. He told US that he had
been a Presbyteriaa pastor in Louisville for
% years. He also referred in plain terms to
the gambling games of the night before,
anu Sdlu IL was SISStO plty Oilco ouCh d llAO
looking gentlematl as the one who sat near
him should play cards for money. He
didn't look at me- but thought he was get
ting pretty close to home. Well he seemed
30 create a good impression, as the collec-
ton amounted to considerable, and put in
my share literally. After sleeping all after
noon came out of my room at supper time
and spent the evening reading. 1t was
nearly midnight when l got up and walked
back in the cabin. Nearly every one had
retired but as walked back ] spied man
with his back to ME reading in the ladies'
cabin. l approached him and found it was
the minister.
He called me to him, and we began talk
ing about the game of the night before l
had changed my appearance so the oI5 fell
low did not recognize me, and after talking
awhile conceded with his views. l trumpet
I'D a story about how had been 'roped in
in a game to the tune of 81 900. He became
very much interested with my story and
asked many questions, and seemed curious
to know all the particulars. l told him l
had some of the tickets in my hand-satchel
that the game was played with, and if he
wished to see them would go and get them.
oh, / would like very much to see the way
it was played, and will go to your room
with you, he said. Well, l showed him the
old three-card- monte racket and he fell in
with it and of course wanted to know all
about it. Well, kept on working him and
let him play with the cards until he thought
he knew all about them. Finally ne says to
me: Ny dear sir, such simple thing. l
cannot fail to pick out the right card every
time, That's where | wanted him, so
said: See here; III make you PROPOSE
ton. I'll throw the cards and will put up
500 with you. If you win the money it is
TO be donated to your church, and if | win
I'll agree to do the same thing. only want
81, I,1,r- I Lost ola -ifafrI
why, say man, the old fellow took me
up, and he laid down his money. l, of
course, displayed a big roll and told him my
father was rich, and l would just as leave
make it $500. Well. he agreed, and of
course when the card was turned he had
lost. He grew excited and put down $500
more, and We kept on playing until had
won an even thousand. Then said to him,
Now you have lost, and 1 am really sorry,
for l had rather have lost myself. You
money would distress me, and this money
have gained from you would do me no
particular good. and | feel little timid in
keeping it, and it would hardly benefit the
church. Now, we have had lots of fun any
how, and want you to gain it back |
never used the word bet, but always said
gain. So proposed that he would put up
his watch and chain, and would place the
$1,000 against it, and then when he gained
it back We could go and laugh it over. So
he put up his watch and chain, both hand
some gold pieces that had been presented
him by his congregation, and naturally
enough won them. | opened the door,
went out into the cabin, and met the cap
tain. When ! showed him the reverend
gentleman's watch he could hardly believe
his eyes. then went back to the room and
found the preacher on his knees. He arose
and said, I've been praying for you | re-
piled, Brother, hadn't you better do little
praying for yourself! Now, here are your
watch and chain, aud as the captain
tells me you are about impoverished after
our little fun, I'll give you a hundred
back Before the old fellow had chance
to say anything to the captain l had left
the boat.
Coming up on the Sultana one night
there were about twenty five of the toughest
set of men as cabin passengers | believe
ever met. They were on their way to
Napoleon, Ark, which at that time was
great town, and known as the jumping off
place. In those days these Napoleon fell
lows were looked upon as cutthroats andr rob
oerS, and thought nothing Of numbering a fell
low simplyto make them appear big menwlth
their gang. | had for a partner man
named Canada Bill, as game party as ever
strobe the deck of steamboat and one
OF the shrewdest gamblers ever encount-
cred
AS soon as simmer. was over this gang of